As America honors its veterans today, let us all pause, reflect, and extend a heartfelt Thank You to the veterans in our classrooms and offices among our students, faculty, and staff. We commend these heroes for their courage, and we thank them and their families for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our nation and its citizens. Because of their service, we experience and enjoy the privilege of a world of greater security, freedom, and liberty. The University of Mississippi is honored to support each one of you and support your preparation for the next stage of your legacy of service and leadership.
Letters from the Chancellor
Update Regarding Revised Deadlines for Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employees
To all faculty, staff, and student employees,
In a message to you last week, I promised that the university would monitor and adapt to changes to the federal government’s COVID vaccination mandate for federal contractors. At that time, based on new federal guidance, I announced that the university would not place employees on leave if they were not fully vaccinated by Dec. 8, and we notified employees that they had until Jan. 3, 2022, to receive at least one shot of the vaccine of their choice.
At the end of last week, the federal government changed its guidance once again that prompted us to make another slight adjustment to our plan. Under guidance released last Thursday, employees are required to receive both shots of a two-dose vaccine, or one shot of a one-dose vaccine, by Jan. 4. We will continue to work with employees who have shown a good faith effort to become fully vaccinated by Jan. 4.
This new guidance for federal contractors should not be confused with the new COVID vaccination mandate for private employers that was also issued last week. While the vaccination mandate for private employers was temporarily halted this weekend by a court order, it does not impact the federal contractor mandate that applies to the university. We will inform you if the federal contractor mandate is halted by a court.
Employees can visit the federal mandate information page of the university’s COVID website to see details about how to upload vaccination cards or how to apply for an accommodation. We have started reviewing submitted requests for religious and medical accommodations.
Please remember that we are operating vaccine clinics on campus. Visit the university’s COVID website to see the schedule for upcoming clinics. I appreciate your patience as we continue to adjust our plan based on the evolving federal guidance.
Sincerely,
Glenn F. BoyceChancellor
Update on Deadline for COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Employees
To all faculty, staff, and student employees,
This message is an update for you on an important matter to all of our employees regarding COVID vaccination. Before getting into the details, I ask for your patience as we continue to receive and monitor updated guidance from officials in Washington, D.C., and we are now reaching out to share what we have learned with you.
I sent an email on Oct. 25 to all university employees regarding the federal Executive Order that requires COVID-19 vaccinations by December 8, 2021, for all employees working on federal contracts and employees working in federal contractor workplaces. Based upon the guidance available at that time, the university indicated that employees who had not provided proof that they were fully vaccinated or received a medical or religious accommodation by Dec. 8 would be placed on unpaid leave until they provided proof of vaccination. In addition, the message indicated that employees with pending accommodation requests would be placed on paid leave while the accommodation request was evaluated.
On Nov. 1, federal officials issued clarifying guidance that now permits us to allow unvaccinated employees to continue to work after the Dec. 8 deadline “through a limited period of counseling and education.” Under the new guidance, employees do not need to be removed from the workplace unless these efforts result in “continued noncompliance.” Consistent with the latitude provided by the new guidance, university employees who are not fully vaccinated as of Dec. 8 will be allowed to continue working and not be placed on a leave of absence.
Unvaccinated employees and those employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination will be permitted to continue to work and remain on the payroll until Jan. 3, 2022, while the university continues to counsel and educate these employees on the need to get vaccinated. Employees who are not fully vaccinated by Jan. 3 (and who have not demonstrated a good faith effort to become fully vaccinated by having received at least one dose of the vaccine of their choice) or who have not received an accommodation may be separated from employment. If you are separated from employment for failing to become fully vaccinated, you may be eligible for rehire to an open position if the vaccine mandate is ever rescinded.
Employees who have a pending accommodation request as of Jan. 3 will be allowed to continue working until review of their request is completed. If an accommodation request is denied, the employee will be given a reasonable period of time to act promptly and become fully vaccinated. Here are the links to get more information and learn how to submit a request for an accommodation:
Thank you for doing your part to help the university work toward compliance on this matter. I am mindful that these developments present a difficult challenge for some of you. We will continue to monitor further updates or clarification of the federal guidance, and we will continue to modify our plans to comply with the Executive Order based on new information.
Sincerely,
Glenn F. BoyceChancellor
All university employees required to be vaccinated against COVID by Dec. 8
To all faculty, staff, and student employees,
As a major research university, the University of Mississippi receives federal contracts from the U.S. government. At present, the university is performing work on more than $91 million in active federal contracts.
The IHL Board voted earlier today to direct all universities to comply with the terms of an Executive Order issued last month by President Biden on “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.” The order requires all federal contractors, such as the university, to comply with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s “COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors.” The task force guidance requires all employees, including graduate and undergraduate student employees, working on or in connection with a federal contract to be vaccinated, and also requires all employees working in a covered contractor workplace to be vaccinated. The definition of the covered contractor workplace as outlined in the task force guidance is broad and covers all buildings and spaces on campus.
Time is limited to get vaccinated by deadline
In order to comply with the Executive Order and task force guidance, all University employees (including faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student employees) must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8, 2021. The task force defined the term “fully vaccinated” as two weeks after receipt of the second shot of a two-dose series, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine. Therefore, an employee who is not fully vaccinated at this time needs to receive the first shot of the Moderna vaccine by Oct. 27, the Pfizer vaccine by Nov. 3, and the appropriately timed second dose or the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine by Nov. 24 in order to become fully vaccinated by the deadline.
Providing proof of vaccination
Employees must provide the university with proof that they have been fully vaccinated. In the coming days, employees will receive information on how to upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination for validation.
Accommodations will be provided to those who are not able to be vaccinated due to a disability or medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Information on how to make this request will be forthcoming.
Those who have not provided the required proof of vaccination by Dec. 8, or who have not received an approved accommodation for the reasons cited above, will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence until they provide proof of vaccination. Employees who have a timely filed pending accommodation request as of Dec. 8 will be placed on paid leave pending resolution of their request. Employees who have not provided proof of vaccination or have not received an accommodation by Jan. 3, 2022 (unless the request is still pending review) may be separated from employment.
How to get vaccinated
Vaccines are widely available in Oxford from multiple providers. You can locate providers at vaccines.gov. Any fees associated with COVID vaccination are covered by insurance. In order to facilitate compliance with the Executive Order and task force guidance, the university is offering free COVID-19 vaccines at clinics on Oct. 26, 28, 29, and Nov. 2, 3, 9, 17, 19 and 30. These vaccines are offered for free to all faculty, staff, and students. Visit the university’s coronavirus vaccination page for information on clinic dates and times.
Additionally, University Health Center Pharmacy on the Oxford campus offers free Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines any weekday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on a walk-up basis. Anyone 18 and older is eligible for the J&J vaccine, and anyone 12 and older is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Call (662) 915-5279 or email c19@olemiss.edu for questions.
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation on this critical matter for the university.
Sincerely,
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor
Celebrating and Honoring Don Cole and Larry Martindale
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
What a glorious day at the University of Mississippi! In an inspiring and rousing ceremony held earlier today, we marked the introduction of the newly renamed Martindale-Cole Student Services Center by honoring two extraordinary members of our university family — Don Cole and Larry Martindale.
In the ever-changing life of a flagship university, historical milestones present moments that illustrate who we are as an institution and what we stand for. Sometimes, the significance is revealed only after the moment has passed. At other times, we are blessed to recognize the magnitude of the moment as it is happening. Today’s renaming is one of those moments for our beloved university.
Our arrival at this moment was forged through two divergent paths. One is the 50-year dedication of Dr. Donald Cole, who served this university as a student, professor, and administrator and was a tireless and fearless advocate for diversity, equity, and students from all backgrounds.
The other is the commitment of the original namesake of the building, Mr. Larry Martindale, a distinguished alumnus from Atlanta, a former Ole Miss basketball player and longtime university supporter. During a campus visit, Larry was inspired to ask how he could help the university to project the powerful diversity he witnessed on campus.
The convergence of their stories, resulting in the renaming of the Martindale-Cole Student Services Center, serves a uniting and noble purpose in the life of our university. At its core, this renaming is a testament to two esteemed and courageous individuals, how they have helped to shape this place as a welcoming university, and how their investments of time, talents, and treasure will ensure that we continue to be a university where everyone succeeds. I encourage you to learn more about the remarkable and inspiring stories of these two men.
We’re so pleased that generations of current and future students will continue to have Dr. Cole’s example shaping their education. This tribute ensures his journey will always be remembered, will always be on display, and will always be celebrated by our university.
Sincerely,
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor
Message from Chancellor Boyce about Hurricane Ida
Dear alumni and friends,
As the Gulf Coast region bears the brunt of Hurricane Ida and its aftermath, we know many members of our Ole Miss family and their loved ones live in areas of our state and beyond that have felt the wrath of this powerful storm. We are deeply concerned and want to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the impacted areas. You are a highly valued member of our university community, and your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to us.
As always, the university stands ready in your time of need — please do not hesitate to reach out by responding to this email if we can assist you or your family in any way during this time. It is in our most trying times that our strength lies in our ability to take care of each other. I know Ole Miss Rebels everywhere will display an overwhelming outpouring of love and support because it is a hallmark of the Ole Miss family to rally when people need support the most.
My sincere hope is that you and your loved ones are safe and did not experience any impact. Today, and in the days to come, please know that our thoughts will continue to be with you and all those affected.
Sincerely,
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor